Set the country code to a specific country on BOTH the 5 GHz radio AND the 2.4 GHz radio.

Go to System > Startup, scroll down to Local Startup, add the line "sleep 2 && /etc/init.d/network restart" before the line "exit 0", and click Submit.

Click System > Reboot > Perform reboot.

Note: latest trunk has this problem fixed. (tested r44618 and up)

Note: There appears to be a problem with 5 GHz spontaneously turning off after a day or so if channel set to "auto". Reported workaround is to manually set the channel. https://dev.openwrt.org/ticket/22540

Supported Versions

Version/Model

Launch Date

S/N

OpenWrt Version Supported

Model Specific Notes

v1

2011

-

14.07 Barrier Braker

-

v2

May 2015

-

Unsupported

Known as RT-N56U B1; sold as regular RT-N56U, box and device indistinguishable from v1

Download

Either (recommended if you want a stable system) download a stable version of Barrier Beaker squashfs-factory.bin for the initial flash. Use a "sysupgrade" file for any future updates if already on openwrt.

Or (recommended if you need a system with all the newest features and do not care if the system may break) download latest snapshot of Chaos Calmer. Use a "sysupgrade" file for any future updates if already on openwrt.

Warning: Do NOT flash snapshot image of Chaos Calmer for initial flashing as nothing is ON in snapshot image. This means unless you have a serial connected you will not be able to access the router. You can, however, easily update from a stable release to a daily snapshot, but make sure "Keep Settings" checkbox is checked.

wait for the power light to stop flashing and then telnet to 192.168.1.1 or visit 192.168.1.1 with your browser to access the LUCI interface

Recovery Installation

Works for BOTH recovery and switching to Open Wrt RECOMMENDED

Download & Install the asus "Firmware Restoration" from asus website

Download the factory image from asus or the sysupgrade image from OpenWrt

Enter Recovery Mode

Unplug Router

Hold Reset Button and Plug in Router

Release button when front LED flashes slowly

Use the following to set up your TCP/IP settings:IP address: 192.168.1.x Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0

Disconnect or disable ALL other network interfaces BEFORE opening the "Firmware Restoration" utility (when you open it, it looks at all your available interfaces and can error out if it sees an Asus device other than the one you are trying to upgrade. You can re-connect/re-enable them after it is open.

Open the "Firmware Restoration" utility

Select firmware file (*.trx to restore the OEM firmware, or the sysupgrade.bin to switch to OpenWrt) and upload

After it uploads the file, it will tell you to power the router off and back on

Wait for the power light to stop flashing and then telnet to 192.168.1.1 or visit 192.168.1.1 with your browser to access the LUCI interface